Is Fort Payne or Huntsville Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Fort Payne is safer than Huntsville (Safety Score 47/100 vs 22/100), with a total crime rate of 1,775 per 100,000 versus 2,872 for Huntsville — 38% lower. Fort Payne has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Fort Payne has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Huntsville is 15.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Fort Payne — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Huntsville — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fort Payne, AL
Huntsville, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fort Payne | Huntsville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,775.2 | 2,871.9 | -1,096.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 160.2 | 483.6 | -323.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.3 | -8.3 |
| Rape Rate | 20.0 | 48.5 | -28.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 53.8 | -53.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 140.2 | 372.6 | -232.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,615.1 | 2,388.3 | -773.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 287.0 | 321.4 | -34.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,194.6 | 1,808.9 | -614.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 133.5 | 258.0 | -124.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fort Payne or Huntsville safer?
Fort Payne is safer with a total crime rate of 1,775 per 100K vs 2,872 for Huntsville — a 38% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fort Payne has a violent crime rate of 160.2 per 100K while Huntsville has 483.6. Fort Payne has lower violent crime.
About Fort Payne, AL
Nestled in the Appalachian foothills, Fort Payne is a small city known as the "Sock Capital of the World." It was once home to the country music band Alabama and has a population of around 13,000. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 14,984, Fort Payne has a total crime rate of 1,775.2 per 100,000 residents.
About Huntsville, AL
Huntsville, Alabama, a city rooted in aerospace since the Space Race, sits in the Appalachian foothills. It's a growing tech hub with a significant population of highly educated professionals. With a safety score of 22/100 and a population coverage of 228,697, Huntsville has a total crime rate of 2,871.9 per 100,000 residents.